First Grade Math - This week we have been working on 2D shapes.  We learned the names of the shapes up to a ten sided figure.  We learned about square corners and shapes with no corners.  We learned about symmetry. We also did a little introduction into basic fractions.  (halves and fourths)  We put a ruler down and used pattern blocks to make symmetrical designs.  We also used an ipad app to make symmetrical designs.

Phonics - This week we are working on vowel teams au and aw.  We are also working on suffixes ed, ing, and s.

Social Studies - We are learning the 50 states.  Each day that we have social studies we learn three states, the capital, and a few facts about the state.  (We're going in ABC order.  So far we've learned 12 states.)  We find the state on our big puzzle and add it.  We are also learning the words to the song "Fifty Nifty United States".  Most of our Flat Stanleys have returned...we're only waiting on a few.  It has been so fun seeing where they have gone and learning about their adventures!

Reading - We are continuing to work on homophones in word work.  We work in the daily 5 centers each day and meet in our reading groups.  

Religion - This week we continued the chapter on praying to God, our Father.  Tomorrow we will start talking about Ash Wednesday and Lent, as well as work on our Promise Papers.

Writing - This week we worked out of our notebooks to create our writer's workshop stories.  We worked on two letters in handwriting - Rr and Nn.

***Reminder - Next week Monday we are going to the Weidner Center.  Please send in your permission slips.

Spelling lists -

This week every student will be working on the phonetic list.

Phonetic List - Vowel Teams au and aw And suffixes ed, ing, and s

fawn
hawk
sauce
printed
twisted
spending
stinging
brings
plants
blends

Conferences - Conferences are on March 9th and March 10th.  Conferences are OPTIONAL.  You do not need to sign up for them.  If you would like to sign up for a conference, the link went home yesterday in the newsletter.


First Grade Math - This week we finished up time.  Our book only teaches :00 and :30.  The kids were doing so great that we also learned :15 and :45.  We are now learning about 2D shapes.

Phonics - This week we are working on vowel teams ou, oo, ue, and ew.

Religion - The theme in our Religion book this week is Jesus teaches us to pray to our Father.

Reading - Our word work topic is homophones!  Homophones are words that sound alike, but they are spelled different and they have different meanings.  Ex. road, rowed, rode.

Writing - This week we learned facts about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.  Then we wrote facts about them and made mobiles.

Valentines Day - We had a fun Valentines Day.  Here are a few pictures of our day.

A nice picture

A goofy picture

Passing out valentines

Flat Stanley - It has been so much fun reading about and seeing all of Stanley's adventures!  The kids love when we get Stanley mail!  Today we heard from our farthest Stanley - all the way from Afghanistan!  Here are a few pictures of our Stanley adventures -

ART - Since 3rd and 4th grade classes are putting on the play, The Lion King, this spring, we decided to move our attention in Art class to Africa. Through the Arts, we can learn about different cultures. First graders have also been learning about patterns. Patterns are all around us in nature, and are used in Art often. We are currently making patterned collar necklaces similar to those worn in this part of the world. Ours are made out of paper plates.... so not quite the same..... but the kids get the idea. Maybe some of these will be added to costumes for the play this spring??? We'll see. Have a great day. Mrs. Jeanne Ihlenfeldt

What an awesome morning we had!  I was so nervous about the wet, muddy trails - no worries needed!  They were gorgeous!  A little icy at times, but gorgeous!  The kids had a great time making the pine cone bird feeders.  They are now hung up around the Osprey Point property for the birds to enjoy.  Thank you to Mrs. Schueller for joining us this morning.  Here are a few pictures of our adventure today - Enjoy!

Tomorrow the students may have a Valentines Dress Down Day!  They may wear red, pink, or hearts.  We made our Valentine bags today.  Don't forget to have your student bring their Valentines tomorrow.  We will be exchanging Valentines in the afternoon.

Here are a few pictures of our Pajama Day!  :)

Weekly Spelling Lists -

Phonetic List - Vowel Teams ou, oo, ue, ew

house
group
tool
cook
school
glue
cue
true
flew
stew

High-Frequency List - Trick Words/Sight Words - Words 121-130

another
came
come
work
three
must
because
does
part
even

Our Flat Stanleys are starting to come back!  The kids love getting mail and love reading about Stanley's adventures!  Thank you to your families and friends for playing along with us!  We are mapping where the Stanleys have gone and learning amazing facts about the places they have been!

This week in reading one of the reading groups was working on a play of The Little Red Hen.  After much practice, they shared their play with the rest of the class.

***Our class has earned 500 Magic Stars and Faith Shields!  Wow!  That's 500 good deeds, 500 positives, 500 great things!  This time around they voted on a pajama and movie day.  Mrs. Franz has said yes to their request!  So, the students may wear pajamas to school on Monday, February 13th!  They asked if they could bring a stuffed animal too.  Yes, if they would like, they may bring one small stuffed animal.  

***Remember we will be exchanging valentines on Tuesday, February 14th.

***Reminder - No school tomorrow!  Have a great weekend!

***Thank you so much for the fruit treat from Edible Arrangements last week!  It was so cute...and so delicious!  :)


***Valentine's Day - We will make a Valentine bag at school on February 13th so you don't need to make one at home.

***And...the 100th day of school!  Wow!  Today was incredible!  Today we made crowns, wore 100 glasses, read stories about the 100th day, counted to 100 by 2's, 5's, and 10's, did 100 exercises, figured out how to make 100 cents using different coins, sang the abc song for 100 seconds (we sang it 5 times), stayed quiet for 100 seconds, rolled a die until we got to the number 100 - we had to roll it 29 times, we built with 100 items (legos, duplos, blocks, cups, pattern blocks, 100 piece puzzle, etc.), and we made pictures out of die cut 100's.  We had more activities planned, so we'll add some 100 day activities throughout this week.  What a fun day!

I have so many pictures - enjoy!  Happy 100!